1. WHO IS A BUDDHIST?
~ A Buddhist is one who :
i) accepts THE BUDDHA as the highest ideal in his life.
ii) follows THE BUDDHA'S TEACHING as his method of personal development.
iii) shares FELLOWSHIP with other Buddhists and tries his best to benefit others.

   THE TRUE BUDDHIST, however, is one who is ENLIGHTENED ( like the Buddha himself ).

   TO BE ENLIGHTENED means to SEE THINGS AS THEY REALLY ARE and to be completely capable of COPING WITH THE WORLD AND ITS WAYS.

2. HOW DO I BECOME A BUDDHIST?
     In the Buddha's time, those who are inspired to be his disciples recited THE THREE REFUGES.
     A Buddhist-to-be usually recited THE THREE   REFUGES after a monk of a nun. However, you may recite them by yourself - preferably every day.

     The Refuge formula is usually given in PALI, SANSKRIT, CHINESE OR OTHER ASIAN LANGUAGES, but in ENGLISH, it is as follows :-

   " TO THE BUDDHA FOR REFUGE I GO.
     TO HIS TEACHING FOR REFUGE I GO.
     TO THE SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY FOR REFUGE I GO.
    FOR THE SECOND TIME, TO THE BUDDHA FOR REFUGE I GO.
    FOR THE SECOND TIME, TO HIS TEACHING FOR REFUGE I GO.
    FOR THE SECOND TIME, TO THE SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY FOR REFUGE I GO.